Daulatpur–Saturia tornado

Daulatpur–Saturia tornado
Dhaka, the area hit by the tornado
Formed April 26, 1989 18:30 (local time)
Damage 1.5 million USD
Total fatalities 1,300 fatalities (estimated) 12,000 injuries
Areas affected Manikganj, Dhaka, Bangladesh

The Daulatpur–Saturia, Bangladesh tornado occurred in the Manikganj District, Bangladesh on April 26, 1989. It was the costliest and deadliest tornado in Bangladesh's history. There is great uncertainty about the death toll, but estimates indicate that it was devastating and that it killed around 1,300 people, which would make it the deadliest tornado in history.[1] The tornado affected the cities of Daulatpur and Saturia the most, moving east through Daulatpur and eventually northeast and into Saturia.[1] Previously, the area that the tornado hit had been in a state of drought for six months, possibly generating tornadic conditions.[1]

Event and aftermath

Around 6:30pm (18:30) local time, a tornado was first spotted southwest of where the majority of fatalities occurred. Information on the tornado is limited due to the rural and isolated nature of the event, but it was part of an outbreak which also saw another five people killed and 500 injured.[2] Damage was extensive over the area, as countless trees were uprooted and every home within a six square kilometer area of the tornado's path was completely destroyed.[1] After the storm hit, an article in the Bangladesh Observer stated that "The devastation was so complete, that barring some skeletons of trees, there were no signs of standing infrastructures".[1] The tornado was estimated to be approximately 1.5 km (1 mi) wide, and had a path that was about 80 km (50 mi) long, through the poor areas and slums of Bangladesh.[3] Approximately 80,000 people were left homeless by the storm, and 12,000 people were injured.[4] Saturia and Manikganj were both completely destroyed by the tornado.[5]

The tornado was 1.5 km (1 mi) wide for most of its path, reaching a maximum width of 2.4 km (1.5 mi).[6] The tornado caused 1.5 million USD in damages. The winds were also 117-418 km/h (73-260 mph).

Frequency

Bangladesh is one of the countries with the highest frequency of tornadoes, behind the United States and Canada.[7] Bangladesh has received other deadly tornadoes, but this particular storm was the worst in the country's history.[7]

See also

References

  • Cerveny, Randy (2005). Freaks of the Storm: From Flying Cows to Stealing Thunder: The World's Strangest True Weather Stories. Thunder's Mouth Press. ISBN 1-56025-801-2.
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Finch, Jonathan. "Tornados in Bangladesh and East India –—". National Weather Service. Bangladesh tornadoes. Retrieved 2008-08-23.
  2. ↑ http://www.aljazeera.com/weather/2014/04/deadliest-tornado-remembered-20144249293887609.html
  3. ↑ Cerveny 2005, p. 272
  4. ↑ Cerveny 2005, pp. 272–273
  5. ↑ Cerveny 2005, p. 273
  6. ↑ "Tornado Facts". Bangladesh Tornado. Retrieved 2016-06-05.
  7. 1 2 Edwards, Rodger. "Tornado FAQ". NOAA. Retrieved 2008-08-23.
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